The first two books in
the Busy Izzy picture book series introduce readers to the modern world of
Green Grass Grove, a "happy and healthy place" with a diverse cast of
characters.

In Busy Izzy and
Friends, we meet cheerful Busy Izzy who owns the Nix & Nax store. When
her friends come to visit, she offers them healthy snacks and gives them jobs
around the shop. When things go wrong, Busy Izzy always knows just what to do
and is never too busy to help a friend in need.

Busy Izzy and Newly
Truly introduces readers to Izzy's new puppy who had
been neglected by its previous owners. Busy Izzy adopts her spunky new pet from
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). The story explains
how Newly Truly was rescued and cared for by this caring organisation. With a
wealth of back matter including notes about how to read a puppy's signals and
loads of healthy recipes, this book is packed with information about taking
care of pets.

The Busy Izzy series
offers young readers the opportunity to jump into a kid-centric situations
(like bike riding, kite flying and caring for a new puppy) while being taught
lessons about kindness, safety and health. Often, these messages are overt:
'Safety first, helmets on' or 'We must wear hats and sunscreen'. This approach
supports the storyline around Busy Izzy always knowing what to do and sharing
that information with her friends. There is also a strong theme of nutrition
through the foods and snacks in the story offered as recipes in the back pages
of the book. Plus, there are fun sing-along songs -- My 26 BFFs and Busy Izzy
Says, to name just two -- both written out and recorded on an accompanying CD
that reminds children of all they've learned.

The bold illustrations
show wonderful facial expressions that bring out the concern in Worried Warren
and Bossy Bobby's commanding ways. The bright, rainbow colour palette and
attention to even the smallest details in the storyline make the illustrations
a perfect match for the words.

Australian author,
Rozanne Kiely has created a fun series of simple stories that readily appeal to
young children. Endorsed by the World Literacy Foundation, the Busy Izzy series
goes beyond storytelling to include songs, recipes and games to supplement the
lessons and themes in the books.